What happens if a missing tooth is not replaced?

Whether you’ve lost a tooth because of natural causes, an injury, or a professional extraction, you might wonder what will happen if the tooth is not replaced. Although it’s usually alright if you don’t get the tooth replaced, you might notice a few differences in how the rest of your teeth look over time. One of the things that you might notice about a missing tooth is that it makes you look older. Since there’s a tooth missing, the way that you eat is often impacted because there are not as many tools in your mouth to break down food as there were before.

Some of the health issues that could develop because of a missing tooth include an infection in the gum tissue or in the jawbone where the tooth was located. Diabetes and heart disease are issues that you might have to deal with as well. When a missing tooth isn’t replaced, there’s no support for the jawbone, which means that the bone can begin to deteriorate. The bone begins to break down over time, reabsorbing into the bloodstream. If there’s an infection present, then the infection can travel through your bloodstream as well.

When there’s space in your mouth from a missing tooth, it allows room for the other teeth to shift. This can create gaps between the other teeth that are close to where the empty space is located. There’s an increased risk of the tooth beside the empty space decaying over time because there’s more room for bacteria to build on the surface of the side of the tooth. You could also notice the shape of your face changing over time in the area where the missing tooth is located, such as a sunken appearance that can further make you appear as though you’re older.

Dental implants can make a huge difference in your life. You can end up with greater self-confidence, and overall health. You could be a perfect candidate.